Landfill Gas
Landfill Gas
According to recent studies, Canadian landfills account for 19 percent of national methane emissions and 2.5 per cent of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Government of Canada, along with other countries, are making GHG reduction a priority, and are imposing tighter regulations to manage and reduce landfill gas.
The Claystone Regional Landfill is a Class II landfill that has been in operation for over thirty years. As one of the largest facilities of its kind in Western Canada, we accept municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, contaminated soil, and non-hazardous waste at our facility.
In 2023, Claystone launched a new program – organics composting – at our Ryley facility. Composting is one of the easiest ways to reduce the creation of landfill gas (LFG) as it is the combination of organics with other waste buried together in a landfill that creates LFG.
Although this program helps reduce the amount of LFG going forward, we still need to deal with the legacy gas that exists in cells within our landfill.
LFG Testing
In September 2024, Claystone initiated a landfill gas pump test, which includes the flaring of gas with a “candlestick” flare at each of three well sites for one week each. The entire test is expected to be completed by the end of October 2024. Read the full news release.
Contact info@claystonewaste.com if you have any further questions regarding this project.
Your Landfill Gas Questions Answered
Why is Claystone doing a landfill gas pump test?
As the landfill begins to mature, the production of methane begins to increase as material contained within each landfill cell begins to break down. In order to quantify the volume of LFG that is present and available to capture, we need to conduct pressure and volume tests to provide insights into the future development of a landfill gas system.
The results of the testing will provide information on the next steps Claystone may need to take to manage the gas, which may include a permanent flare or capturing the gas as part of a landfill gas recovery system (biogas).
What is a landfill gas system?
A landfill gas system is a system of wells and pipes that capture and clean the gas generated in landfills, which can then be used as a source of energy.
Who regulates landfill emissions?
Landfill emissions are regulated by the Government of Canada. The Regulations Respecting the Reduction in the Release of Methane (Waste Sector) provides more information on landfill gas.
Will I be able to see the flare?
The flare stack will likely not be visible, especially during the day. At night, you may see the flame or the glow from the top of the stack if you are driving past our site.
What if people confuse the flare for a fire at the landfill?
Claystone has worked with the Beaver Emergency Services Commission and obtained a fire permit for the flare stack. We will have a local staff member on call evenings and weekends who will be able to respond in case anything unusual is reported. This includes working with the fire departments to ensure they are not called out for a false alarm.
What happens if the flare causes a fire at the landfill?
Claystone Waste and its contractors have an emergency response plan in place in the unlikely event of an emergency with the wells or the flares.
As a landfill, Claystone has had to deal with fires on our site and we have procedures in place for dealing with those types of events. During the flaring, we will ensure that all loads brought in are kept away from the wells.
Will landfill gas affect area residents?
Landfill gas is composed of methane, carbon dioxide, and non-methane organic compounds – that when released without control contribute to GHG emissions.
Claystone is committed to being a good neighbour and having a safe work environment. Claystone’s consultant, Tetratech, will do air quality monitoring during the pilot.
The Province of Alberta has developed guidelines for new development around existing waste facilities. Claystone also has to follow the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and other related regulations and codes of practice, all of which can be found on the Government of Alberta website.
